Memorial University - The Looking Back Collection
Jump to content
On September 15, 1925, Memorial University College opened on Parade Street in St. John's. On Aug. 13, 1949, a bill elevated the college to the status of a university. A new campus on Elizabeth Avenue officially opened on Oct. 9, 1961. These are just some of the dates to celebrate from our university's rich history. More can be found in this overview of Memorial's history, people and timelines. The Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) hosts numerous collections that include documents, reports, photos, videos, magazines and newspapers relating to Memorial University. This page brings together a selection of titles from those collections that will allow a deeper dive into the university's history. Many other digitized titles relating to Memorial can be found by searching the DAI. And of course, much more awaits you in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, the Archives and Special Collections Division, and many other DAI partners at Memorial University.
More resources will be added as we celebrate the 100th anniversary and its theme “Looking Back, Launching Forth” in 2025.
History
On September 15, 1925, Memorial University College officially opened under President John Lewis Paton. The enrollment that September was 57 full-time students. It was located on Parade Street until it moved to the new campus on Elizabeth Avenue in 1961. As of 2024, Memorial University has campuses in St. John's, Corner Brook, Happy-Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador and at Harlow, England, all serving over 19,000 students.
Celebrate Memorial!: a pictorial history of Memorial University of Newfoundland (1999)
Memorial on Parade Celebrating 1925-1961 (Book)
“The Newfoundland Memorial University College” in the Book of Newfoundland, vol. 1, pp. 299-307.
Various articles about Memorial University in the Book of Newfoundland, vol. 4.
An act respecting the Memorial University of Newfoundland (1949)
Previous Anniversaries
The Festival of Anniversaries was celebrated over two years in 1999 and 2000 as Memorial University marked its 50th anniversary as a degree-granting school in 1999 and the 75th anniversary of the founding of Memorial University College in 1925. Prior to that, a video was created to mark its 60th anniversary in 1985 and the Jubilee Year Book commemorated its 50th anniversary in 1975.
Celebrate Memorial!: a pictorial history of Memorial University of Newfoundland (1999)
Jubilee year book: to celebrate with thanks for the past and plan with hope for the future (1975)
1961 Opening of Campus
A major milestone occurred in early October of 1961 when the Elizabeth Avenue campus opened. A special convocation was held on October 7th to install Roy Thomson as chancellor. The official opening was held on October 9th with a parade that formed at Churchill Square and moved along Elizabeth Avenue in front of a viewing stand that included Eleanor Roosevelt. The key to the university was presented to the new chancellor by Eleanor Roosevelt. A banquet was held that evening at Holy Heart of Mary High School. On October 10th, the university awarded its first honorary doctoral degrees.
Opening of the New Campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland Collection
Yearbooks
Much of Memorial University's history has been captured in the Cap and Gown from 1930 to 2000. Other yearbooks from various faculties provide a pictorial history of the lives of students at various times in the university's history.
Cap and Gown Yearbook of Memorial University (1930-2000)
Post mortem (Faculty of Medicine) (1969/70)
The Log (College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics) (1968-1971)
Driftin' (West Coast Regional College of Memorial University) (1975-1976)
Photo Collections
The S. J. Carew collection in the Archives and Special Collections Division is a tremendous archive of photographs that depicts the building of the Elizabeth Avenue campus in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Celebrate Memorial!: a pictorial history of Memorial University of Newfoundland (1999)
Memorial University College photograph collection (ASC Finding Aid)
S.J. Carew Photograph Collection (ASC Coll-012)
Marine Institute Archival Photographs
Early Days Exhibit – Temporary Buildings, Faculty and Staff Photographs, 1969-79
News
Various newspapers have been published at Memorial University over the years, most notably its official newspaper, the Gazette (back to 1968) and the student newspaper, the Muse (back to 1950). Both continue to this day online: Gazette, The Muse.
Convocation
The first degree-granting convocation held by Memorial University took place on June 3, 1950. Convocation programmes are available from 1950 onwards. Videos run from 1987 onwards.
Curriculum
These academic calendars (back to 1928) provide admission requirements and deadlines, academic regulations, academic standards, programs of study, degree requirements, personnel, course descriptions, scholarships, bursaries and awards details and general University information and policies for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Administration
Learn more about the governance and administration of Memorial University through profiles of the presidents, their reports and various administrative documents from the institution over the last 100 years.
Report of the President of Memorial University (Since 1925)
Memorial University Administration – Events
Memorial University Student Handbook (1943-2009)
Memorial University of Newfoundland, the master plan (1968)
The deep end, 1967-68 : a few words of advice & information for the good of students all
Memorial University Students' Directory, Who's Where (1958-1969)
Memorial University Extension Services Annual Report (1960 - 1989)
J.L.P.: a portrait of John Lewis Paton (1968)
The Nine Lives of Paton College (1974)
Magazines
The Luminus is just one of many magazines published at the university and is a key magazine for alumni and friends of Memorial University.
Videos
Videos offer a look back on the university's history, bringing to life the activities of faculty and students and preserving the milieu for posterity.
Library
From Sadie Organ's library at the Parade Street campus to the new library at the Elizabeth Avenue campus in 1961 (later named the Henrietta Harvey Library) to the opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Library in 1982 and subsequent branch libraries, the library remains the heart of the institution.
RHE A Tribute, 2007 (Richard H. Ellis)
Medical School History
The Faculty of Medicine Founders' Archive created a virtual exhibit called, "The Early Days of The Medical School at Memorial University." The Medical School opened in 1967 with the appointment of its first Dean, and then in 1969 the first students entered the medical program. The website was officially launched as a part of the 40th anniversary of Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine, October 22nd, 2007.
Early Days of Memorial University's Medical School, 1967-1979
Early Days Exhibit – Temporary Buildings, Faculty and Staff Photographs, 1969-79
The Department of Music was established on August 1, 1975, with the appointment of Donald F. Cook as its first Director. The first class of students arrived in September 1976, and by the spring of 1979, Memorial conferred its first Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees on a graduating class of six. Since then, the School has grown into a vibrant community of performers, composers, educators, and scholars whose influence extends throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, across Canada, and around the world.
Opening Ceremonies - New Music Building - 1-6 November 1985
Opening of Music Building (Video)
Opening of Petro-Canada Hall (Video Tape 1)
Grenfell Campus - 50th Anniversary
On October 24, 1975, Memorial University opened a junior college in Corner Brook, originally known as the West Coast Regional College, offering the first two years of an undergraduate degree program in arts and science, as well as courses in education. Dr. Arthur M. Sullivan was the first Principal and Ferris Hodgett was Deputy Principal. The college also established its own student union the “C.S.U.” The college opened with 39 faculty and 390 students. In 1979, the college was renamed Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, after British medical missionary to Labrador and Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula, Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (1865-1940). In 2010, it was renamed Grenfell Campus.
Outlook – Student Union Newsletter 1977
College Scope – Student Union Newsletter 1979
School of Fine Arts Opens
In 1988 the Fine Arts Building opened. The Bachelor of Fine Arts is the first full degree offered by the college, and remains the only Fine Arts degree program in the province. It is also home to the Grenfell Art Gallery, the leading public art gallery in Western Newfoundland.
Suggested Reading
Keshen, J., & Rediger, P. (2026). Not by accident, but by design a history of Grenfell Campus (P. Gill, Ed.). Horseshoe Community Press.
MacLeod, M. (1990). A bridge built halfway : a history of Memorial University College, 1925-1950. McGill-Queens University Press.
MacLeod, M. (1999). Crossroads country: memories of pre-confederation Newfoundland, at the intersection of American, British and Canadian connections. Breakwater Books.
Riggins, S. H., & Buchanan, R. (Eds.). (2019). Creating a university : the Newfoundland experience. ISER Books.
Webb, J. A. (2016). Observing the outports : describing Newfoundland culture, 1950-1980. University of Toronto Press.